Quick Guide to Dougan Falls
Washington’s scenic and peaceful Washougal River is known for its excellent natural swimming holes. Arguably the best along the river, and perhaps in the state, is the deep pool at the base of Dougan Falls. Surrounded by rolling hills covered with pine forests, the sunny rocks around Dougan Falls make for perfect lounging spots on hot summer days. Bring a picnic, climb on some rocks, and try out the water at this secluded gem less than an hour away from Portland. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Dougan Falls.
There are shaded picnic tables at the Dougan Falls day-use area
Know before you go
To park at Dougan Falls you’ll need a Washington Discover Pass. It costs $10/day or $30/year. Buy your pass ahead of time since you probably won’t have phone reception when you arrive. If you don’t have a pass, you can use a 15-minute parking spot to have a quick look at the falls.
There are restrooms (vault toilets) next to the Dougan Falls parking lot.
Leashed dogs are welcome at Dougan Falls.
A wooded area by the parking lot has shaded picnic tables.
You can see Dougan Falls from the road but you’ll need to negotiate rocky and uneven terrain to get down to the water. The restrooms and part of the picnic area are ADA-accessible.
Parking is limited at the Dougan Falls day-use area. Consider arriving early on hot summer weekend days.
There is no trash collection at Dougan Falls. Plan on packing out any trash.
If you plan on swimming, visit on a hot day. Even in summer, the water is cold.
Dougan Falls
Dougan Falls
Roaring in spring and gently tumbling by late summer, 19-foot Dougan Falls cascades over ledges of rugged volcanic rock into a deep, clear pool. It is the last major waterfall on the Washougal River and, I would say, the most picturesque. The natural beauty of the falls adds to the appeal of the swimming hole at its base, which reflects the blue of the sky on sunny days.
It’s easy to reach the top of the falls by climbing up the path next to it. Upstream, you can follow the riverbank for a short distance and admire the remarkable clarity of the water. On a quiet day, you might surprise a bird hunting for fish here. Be careful not to wade close to the top of the falls. The current can be strong even when the water level is low.
The water heading towards Dougan Falls is as clear as glass
When it’s too cold to swim, Dougan Falls is still a tempting place to linger. Long after I finished exploring and had taken plenty of pictures, I found it hard to leave the relaxing sound of rushing water and the rich green of the forested hills. Whether you come with your friends or just snacks and a book, it’s a wonderful place to spend some time.
Dougan Falls has an excellent swimming hole at its base
The Washougal River
The pool at the base of Dougan Falls is one of several natural swimming holes along the Washougal River, which flows through a forested canyon on its way to the Columbia River. Motorized boats are not allowed on the Washougal, making it ideal for a peaceful day of swimming, wading, or floating. Water levels will be highest from late fall until spring. By late summer, the current becomes more sedate and the banks wider.
The pool beneath Dougan Falls spills out into the Washougal River
If you explore the riverbank downstream of Dougan Falls, you can find patches of sandy beach and a calm stretch of the river good for wading. The clear, glassy water makes it easy to admire the river cobbles beneath the surface and possibly spot a crayfish. If you spend some time peering into the water, you’ll start noticing many small fish. They are skittish at first but will soon get used to you watching them if you sit for a minute or two.
A crayfish walks over river cobbles in the Washougal River
The Washougal’s fish attract birds on the hunt. I saw a couple of herons and a small group of common mergansers as I bumbled over the rocky shoreline. If you head downstream of the falls, you’ll see large logs placed across the river at regular intervals that at first glance look like driftwood. These logs are part of an effort to improve the conditions of the river for salmon habitat.
Common mergansers sun themselves on the rocks
Can you hike at Dougan Falls?
One of my goals for this excursion was to look for hiking trails near Dougan Falls since I found conflicting information about it online. After visiting, I’d say no, you can’t hike at Dougan Falls. There is a small network of trails starting from the picnic area that will bring you down to a few access points for the Washougal River. You can explore the rocky banks of the river for a short distance both upstream and downstream of Dougan Falls, about 0.25 miles total. Try to avoid social trails and know that there is private land close to the Dougan Falls day-use area and campground.
Washougal River downstream of Dougan Falls
Camping at Dougan Falls
There is a small first come, first served campground set back in the woods just down the road from Dougan Falls. It is open year-round and dogs are allowed. Camping is free if you display a Washington Discover Pass. Expect few amenities. To reach the campground, continue a short distance past the day-use area on a gravel road. Find a campground map here.
Naked Falls and Reeder Falls
A couple of miles upstream from Dougan Falls are two more Washougal River waterfalls: Naked Falls and Reeder Falls. Unlike Dougan Falls, these waterfalls are on private land and you need a special site-specific pass to park there. You cannot use the Washington Discover Pass or buy a pass onsite. To get a parking pass, you can either buy one online ahead of time here and print it at home or buy one in person from Washougal River Mercantile before you arrive. It costs $13 for a day pass.
Naked Falls
To find Naked Falls and Reeder Falls from the Dougan Falls day-use area, follow the gravel road to the right (the fork to the left leads to Dougan Falls Campground). Continue for about 2 miles on the gravel road to reach the parking area for Naked Falls. Although unpaved, this road is in good condition and not a problem for a low-clearance vehicle. There is a short trail from the parking area down to the river (about 0.1 miles), which is a bit of a scramble. Once at the bottom, you’ll be at lovely Naked Falls and the swimming hole at its base.
A note on the name. Local lore has it that Naked Falls was named for being a favorite nude swimming hangout. Whether or not this was true in the past, nudity is not allowed at Naked Falls these days. Oddly enough, the only person swimming beneath Dougan Falls when I visited was naked, all the more surprising considering that it wasn’t a warm day. You may notice that I framed my pictures to leave off the left side of the Dougan Falls swimming hole. Now you know why.
To see Reeder Falls, continue another 0.3 miles past the Naked Falls parking area to reach a second parking area. You’ll be able to see the falls from the bridge there. A dirt trail leads down to the riverbank. Reeder Falls is about 5 feet high and looks like a cascade along the river. Note that there are no restrooms or amenities past Dougan Falls.
Reeder Falls
Getting there
From Portland, take I-5 N or I-205 N across the bridge to Washington. Follow Highway 14 East until the Cape Horn trailhead parking, then take a left onto Salmon Falls Rd. Follow Salmon Falls Rd for about 3.5 miles, then turn right onto Washougal River Rd. Continue on Washougal River Rd for about 6 miles until you reach the Dougan Falls day-use area. The roads leading to Dougan Falls are paved and in good condition. The drive from Portland takes about an hour.
You can find a few other access points for the Washougal River on the way to Dougan Falls. The easiest to spot is the one across from the fish hatchery.
Enjoy your trip to Dougan Falls!
With love,
Emma
Explore nearby
Visit the other best swimming holes and beaches near Portland.
You’ll pass the Cape Horn Trailhead on the way to Dougan Falls.
The trail starting here is one of the best Columbia Gorge wildflower hikes.
Find more things to do in the Columbia Gorge.
